Racism's Ripple Effect: The impacts of racism on the family unit
Written by Solange Lavi Dorsainvil
…Imagine a single parent has three children, all of colour, all having difficulties at school. Leaving work on multiple occasions for multiple children to try to advocate for justice may not seem like a viable option, as much as that parent may feel deeply upset about the situation. Those children then watch their parents struggle to provide for them, and are afraid of placing another burden on their parents by telling them of their experiences of racism. …Many factors can contribute to how vulnerable families are in the face of racism. What happens at school to one child may affect every individual within that family, in a multitude of ways that one might not even be able to imagine.
Racism is a pervasive force that extends far beyond individual experiences, casting its shadow over entire families and communities. In the educational context, the effects of racism on students of colour and the profound implications it has on the greater family unit are often overlooked. This essay explores the multifaceted impact of racism on families, drawing attention to the emotional, psychological, and socioeconomic dimensions that shape experiences. Through examining the vulnerability of immigrant families, the challenges of addressing racism within limited economic means, and the phenomenon of internalized racism, we can gain insight into the broader ripple effects of racialized violence. By shedding light on these interconnected dynamics, we can foster a deeper understanding of the far-reaching consequences of racism on families and communities.
Before diving into this subject, I must make it clear that I am speaking from my understanding of my Black student experience, and those of my close peers. I do not wish to portray knowledge of every IBPOC experience or to highlight a single story.
What inspired today’s topic was a conversation I was having with a friend of mine. He and his family have been working to cope with the effects of racism on his two younger brothers, both of whom attend predominantly white schools. I must say I am rarely surprised now when I hear of students of colour feeling unsafe or battling racism in the school system, but what stood out to me about his story was the impact this had on the entire family. By the end of the conversation, my friend told me his parents had recently suggested that the family might move to a slightly more diverse city a few hours away from their current location, in hopes of giving their sons a better experience (one where they may feel less isolated). The situation stayed with me for days and has brought me to writing this post; this topic aligns with CREAN’s mission and the anti-racism work we’re doing.
The root of the issue runs very deep, with generational trauma from many factors impacting family structures and familial bonds (i.e., slavery, mass incarceration, poverty, misogynoir [a term to describe the specific racism and discrimination against Black women]). Though I would love to dive deeper into the depth of the topic, today I will only be skimming the surface and exploring the more observable effects of racism on individuals and the wider community.
I often think about the incredible difficulty of immigrating to a completely new country and environment, especially with children still young enough to move through the school system. The whole family would be navigating their own individual spaces and attempting to find community. In these situations, when families are adjusting, there are layers of vulnerability. The children’s experiences in the school system in this context will have an even greater impact on the entirety of the home. When a child is not accepted at school, whether it be for their accent, skin colour, heritage, etc, it can result in a feeling that the entire family is not accepted. This ripple effect can cause instability and insecurity and make the process of acclimatizing to a new home far more difficult.
The socioeconomic status of one’s family may also play a role in whether/how a family feels accepted. In lower-income families or single-parent households, there can be less time or energy to fully deal with any situations of racism at school. Imagine a scenario in a single-parent household where the primary provider is often working. Imagine the school calls home or the student reports an incident/incidents of racism. In this scenario let us imagine this single parent has three children, all of color, all having difficulties at school. Leaving work on multiple occasions for multiple children to try to advocate for justice may not seem like a viable option, as much as that parent may feel deeply upset about the situation. Those children then watch their parents struggle to provide for them and are afraid of placing another burden on their parents by telling them of their experiences of racism. As I mentioned before, my friend’s family debated the idea of moving; this also ties into the reality of a family’s economic status. Imagine debating the idea of moving your children out of such racist environments, in hopes for things to be easier for the family but moving comes with its own financial struggles. What if moving into the city, into a more diverse area, would cost exceedingly more? The parent would need to find a new job and may lose whatever status they earned at their last job. What if the parents extended family lives close to them and can help out with child support, and if they were to move there would be the extra financial cost of paid child care? Many factors can contribute to how vulnerable families are in the face of racism. What happens at school to one child may affect every individual within that family, in a multitude of ways that one might not even be able to imagine.
Another way racism towards a student may affect the family is through internalization. Internalized racism is the phenomenon of internalized oppression, where racial groups or individuals turn the oppression inwards. This is often subconscious and can be caused by keeping incidents of racism to oneself or blaming oneself. It can also come from absorbing the stereotypes, pop culture, and racial prejudice that surrounds youth. A lot of this can be borne throughout a student's time in school. It could manifest as an inferiority complex, where one tells oneself they are less smart, important, bound for success, etc., than their white peers. It could be that girls of colour question their physical appearance or worthiness based on white beauty standards. These are all forms of internalized racism, where the perpetrator becomes oneself (in addition to the many other layers, forms, and structures that contribute to a racialized society).
When describing internalized racism to my peers I often explain it in a simple way that seems to click for many: I explain that it is as if the original oppressors built the car, but now we are driving it. The car represents the structures that keep us (people of colour) encaged and controlled; the act of us driving it represents what can happen when people of colour internalize the racism around them and continue to lead it forward. As you can imagine, when driving a car it is not only yourself that is impacted. On the road, each person you pass can be impacted or influenced by the car you are driving; your driving also impacts anyone you have let into your back seat. This is how internalized racism can impact an entire family. If there are many children of different ages within a family, and if the eldest has begun to believe stereotypes about his marginalized group and now views himself and his family differently, this can affect the way his siblings begin to view themselves and each other as well. When a family internalizes the racism they are faced with, it is far more dangerous and can have longer lasting effects, in some cases even for generations.
When confronting the realities of racism, it becomes clear that its effects extend well beyond individual encounters—it permeates the fabric of families and communities, leaving lasting imprints on generations to come. The stories of resilience and struggle within these familial units underscore the urgent need for systemic change and collective action to dismantle the structures of oppression. By amplifying the voices of those impacted and recognizing the interconnectedness of experiences, we can take a crucial step toward creating a more just and equitable society. What I’d like to leave with you today, whether you are a teacher, a concerned citizen, or a parent, is that what happens in the classroom toward students of colour has a cascading effect, influencing not only the individuals directly involved but also their families, communities, and broader societal structures. This puts a large amount of responsibility on all of us to ensure IBPOC students and families feel safe. Only through acknowledging and addressing the full scope of racism's impact can we hope to build a future where every family feels supported and truly seen.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada.